No fewer than 60 persons were killed at a gravesite in Badu village, Borno State, the Chairman of Nganzai Local Government, Muhammad Bulama, told journalists on Sunday.
Bulama lamented that the insurgents, who were pushed back by villagers and a vigilance group members two weeks earlier, returned on a reprisal mission on Saturday, killing about 60 persons and injuring 10 others.
He said, “Two weeks ago, Boko Haram insurgents attacked Badu village but the attack was repelled by the villagers and members of the vigilante group.”
He said in the first attack, the villagers were able to resist the attackers, killed 11 insurgents and recovered 10 AK-47 rifles in the encounter.
Bulama added, “On Saturday at about 11.40am, the insurgents came back and attacked mourners at a graveyard in the area, killing over 60 persons and injuring 10 others.”
He said the wounded were taken to the Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri for treatment.
Attempt to get the reaction of the military on the attack was unsuccessful as calls to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Ado Isa, did not connect.
The Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara, said he would support security agencies to protect lives and property in the state.
The governor, who visited Gajiram, headquarters of the Nganzai LGA to commiserate with the people over the killing of 60 villagers by Boko Haram insurgents, said the government would not relent until permanent peace was restored to the state.
Umara, while condemning the attack, called on the people to be vigilante and cooperate with security agencies in their communities.
